ATHENS, Ga. - The No. 12/13 University of Georgia softball team dropped an 8-3 decision to the second-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide on Friday night in front of a capacity crowd at Jack Turner Stadium. Georgia dropped to 35-11 on the season, including a 13-8 mark in Southeastern Conference play. The Crimson Tide improved to 41-4 overall and 18-3 in the SEC.

Morgan Montemayor took the loss for Georgia, falling to 9-6 on the year. The sophomore gave up eight runs on 12 hits and four walks, while striking out nine. Jackie Traina moved to 27-1 on the year, allowing three runs, on five hits and striking out seven.

Alabama took an early lead in the top of the first as Jennifer Fenton worked the count full before singling through the left side with one away. Fenton moved to third on a stolen base and a Georgia error. With two outs, Kaila Hunt singled back to the pitcher to drive in Fenton and give the Tide 1-0 lead. Amanda Locke followed with a triple off the wall in centerfield that scored Hunt and put Alabama up 2-0.

Georgia answered in the bottom of the frame, tying the game at two with a pair of home runs. Tess Sito took the second pitch she saw deep over the left centerfield wall to make it a 2-1 game. With one away, Paige Wilson belted her second home run of the series with a solo shot to right center that tied the game at two.

The Bulldogs took a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the second. Anna Swafford reached on a single and then stole second. With two outs, Ashley Pauly singled to left center to drive in Swafford for Georgia's third run of the game.

The Crimson Tide reclaimed the lead in the top of the fourth on three hits, including a double by Locke. Traina followed Locke's leadoff double with a single to shallow left that put runners at the corners with nobody out for Jazlyn Lunceford, who walked. With the bases loaded, Courtney Conley found a hole in left field for a two-run single that allowed Alabama to take a 4-3 lead.

Alabama tacked on a run in the top of the fifth when Jackey Branham homered to left center to give the Tide a 5-3 lead. With a runner on first after a walk, Lunceford lined a home run to left field that extended the Alabama lead to 7-3. A home run by Locke in the top of the sixth added a run of insurance, making it an 8-3 game.

Georgia and Alabama will play the rubber-game of the three-game series tomorrow afternoon at 2:30 p.m. The game will be broadcast locally on Newstalk 1340 AM WGAU.